What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?

Song Meaning

The lyrics pose a persistent, almost childlike question about the activities of the departed in heaven, framing it as a place where earthly suffering ceases. The central refrain, "What are they doing in heaven today?", anchors the song in a yearning for understanding and peace. It paints heaven as a stark contrast to the trials of life, a realm where "sin and sorrow are all done away" and "peace abounds like a river." The song highlights specific groups who endured significant hardship on Earth. It mentions those "burdened with care" who fought through "fighting and tears," and those whose bodies were wracked with "disease" for whom "physicians and doctors couldn't give much ease." There's also a poignant depiction of the "poor and often despised" who suffered in silence while others were "heedless and deaf to their cries." These descriptions serve to underscore the profound relief and release that heaven represents for those who experienced the most profound suffering. The repeated structure emphasizes the cyclical nature of the question, mirroring a persistent, perhaps unanswerable, curiosity. The contrast between the described earthly pain and the idealized heavenly peace is the core tension. The lyrics don't offer specific activities for heaven, but rather focus on the *absence* of earthly woes, suggesting that the primary activity is simply *being* free from pain and sorrow. This lyrical approach is effective because it grounds the abstract concept of heaven in the concrete realities of human suffering. By focusing on the relief from specific pains – disease, poverty, emotional burden – the song makes the promise of heaven deeply resonant. The simple, repetitive questioning invites the listener to contemplate their own experiences of hardship and the hope for ultimate peace.